Edmonton hailstorms can go from zero to destructive in minutes. Golf ball-sized hail, driving winds, and 20 minutes of impact can leave your roof looking the same from the street while hiding thousands of dollars of damage that won’t show up as a leak until months later — often after the insurance claim window has passed. hail damage roof Edmonton what to do
If hail just hit your Edmonton neighbourhood, here’s exactly what to do — in the right order, for the right reasons.
Step 1 — Stay Safe First. Inspect Later.
Do not go on your roof immediately after a hailstorm. The roof surface will be wet, debris will be scattered, and structural integrity should be confirmed before anyone walks on it. Wait until the storm has fully passed and conditions are safe.
What you can do immediately: walk around the exterior of your property at ground level and look for the most obvious signs of damage. You are not trying to assess the full extent at this point — you’re checking whether there’s an active emergency situation (visible hole in the roof, water actively entering the building, structural concern).
If you have an active leak inside the building, call us immediately — we provide 24/7 emergency roofing response across Edmonton. Emergency Roof Repair →
Step 2 — Document Everything Before Touching Anything
This is the step that determines how smoothly your insurance claim goes.
Start documenting within the first 24 hours. Here is exactly what to photograph:
Outside your home:
- Downspouts and eavestrough — look for fresh dents and dings on the aluminum
- Fascia and soffit — soft metal surfaces show hail impact clearly
- Window screens and window ledges — pockmarked screens are strong evidence of hail size
- Air conditioning unit — the fins dent visibly in hail events
- Garden beds near the house — bruised leaves and broken plant stems confirm the storm hit
- Any vehicles parked outside — document impact on vehicles separately for auto insurance
On the roof (from the ground, with zoom):
- Missing or displaced shingles
- Areas where granules have been stripped — shows as dark patches on asphalt shingles
- Any visible tears, holes, or lifted sections
Inside your home:
- Any water stains, wet insulation, or active drips
- Date and time stamp all photos — phone cameras do this automatically
The Insurance Bureau of Canada recommends documenting all damage thoroughly before any repairs begin and keeping records of all cleanup costs and receipts.
Step 3 — Do Not Make Permanent Repairs Before the Insurance Inspection
This is the most common and most costly mistake Edmonton homeowners make after a hailstorm.
If you call a roofing contractor and they immediately start replacing shingles or sealing membrane sections before your insurance adjuster has seen the damage, you may have permanently compromised your claim. Adjusters need to see the damage as it occurred — not a partially repaired version of it.
What you can do before the adjuster visit:
- Temporary weatherproofing to prevent active water intrusion (tarps, emergency sealant) — this is acceptable and covered
- Remove debris from drains and gutters
- Document water damage inside the home
What to hold off on:
Disposing of damaged materials before they’ve been photographed and documented
Step 4 — Get a Professional Hail Inspection Before Calling Your Insurer
The most important call you make after an Edmonton hailstorm isn’t to your insurance company — it’s to a qualified roofing contractor for a hail inspection.
Here’s why: insurance adjusters work for insurance companies. Their job is to assess damage accurately, but their interest is not necessarily in identifying the maximum scope of damage on your behalf. A professional roofing contractor who knows what hail damage looks like — on shingles, on membrane systems, on soft metals — can document the full scope before the adjuster visit, ensuring nothing is missed.
Hail damage to asphalt shingles is largely invisible from the ground. It shows as bruising and granule loss that looks like random dark spots on the shingle surface. A single hail event on a 20-year-old Edmonton roof can create 60 to 100+ impact points across the surface — each one a point of accelerated weathering. Without documentation from a roofing professional, adjusters often miss a significant portion of this damage.
Our hail damage inspection service includes a full roof inspection with photographic documentation of every impact area — at no charge. We provide the documentation to you and work alongside your adjuster throughout the claim process.
Step 5 — File Your Insurance Claim Promptly
Alberta home insurance policies have claim filing deadlines — typically one year from the date of the event, but some policies are shorter. Don’t wait. File the claim as soon as you have documentation in hand.
What to have ready when you call your insurer:
- Date and time of the storm
- Description of damage (based on your documentation and contractor inspection)
- Photos and any written inspection report from your roofing contractor
- Policy number
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, standard Alberta home insurance policies cover hail and wind damage to roofing. What you receive depends on whether your policy pays replacement cost value (the full cost to replace with new materials) or actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation for your roof’s age). This is worth confirming with your broker before the adjuster visit.
Also worth knowing from the IBC: some Alberta insurers now offer resilient material endorsements that pay the increased cost to upgrade to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles after a hail claim — meaning you may be able to upgrade to a stronger roof at no additional out-of-pocket cost. Ask your broker about this when filing.
Step 6 — Be Present for the Adjuster Inspection
When the insurance adjuster comes to your property, be there — and have your contractor’s inspection report ready.
A good adjuster is thorough. But they are also often managing hundreds of claims after a major Edmonton hailstorm event, moving quickly through each property. Having your roofing contractor’s documentation in hand — with specific impact counts, locations, and photos — ensures the adjuster’s assessment is informed and complete.
If Laser Cut Roofing performed your free inspection, we will attend the adjuster meeting with you on request. Having a roofing professional present during the adjuster inspection is one of the most impactful things you can do to ensure your claim scope is accurate.
Step 7 — Choose Your Contractor Before the Cheque Arrives
After a major Edmonton storm, the city fills with out-of-province roofing crews within days. These storm-chasers are looking for quick volume — they move fast, use whatever materials they have on hand, and are gone before any warranty issues surface. Choosing a contractor with a permanent Edmonton presence, active licensing, and a real warranty is critical.
What to look for in an Edmonton hail restoration contractor:
- Permanent local office — not a temporary post-storm operation
- Alberta Safety Codes compliance and permit management
- Written workmanship warranty minimum 5–10 years
- Experience working directly with insurance adjusters
- IKO or equivalent manufacturer certification for material warranty preservation
Laser Cut Roofing has operated an Edmonton office at #107 15397, 117 Ave NW since 2010. We’ve managed hundreds of Alberta insurance claims — and we’re here after the job is done.
What Hail Damage Looks Like — By Roofing Type
Asphalt Shingles: Bruised impact marks, granule loss concentrated around the impact point, circular indentations in the shingle mat. Often invisible from the ground — requires close-up inspection.
EPDM / TPO Flat Membrane: Punctures, splits at seams, and tears around drains and penetrations. Large hail at high velocity punches directly through single-ply membranes. Commercial flat roofs require inspection after every significant hailstorm.
Metal Roofing: Cosmetic dimpling and denting. Metal roofing typically maintains its waterproof integrity through hail events but sustains visible surface damage that qualifies for insurance coverage.
Fascia, Eavestroughs, and Soft Metal: Visible denting and pockmarking on aluminum surfaces is often the most visible ground-level evidence of a qualifying hail event — and is always part of a complete insurance claim scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Edmonton roof was damaged by hail? The only reliable way is a professional roof inspection. Ground-level visual inspection misses the majority of shingle impact damage. If your neighbourhood was hit by a storm that produced hail 20mm or larger, have your roof inspected — the inspection is free and takes 30–45 minutes.
How long does a hail damage insurance claim take in Alberta? After filing, most Alberta hail claims are assessed within 2–6 weeks depending on the volume of claims in the area following a major storm event. Repairs are typically scheduled after claim approval. In major storm years, contractor availability can extend timelines — book your contractor early.
Will filing a hail claim raise my insurance premiums? A single hail claim typically does not significantly impact premiums because hail is a widespread weather event — your insurer knows every home in your neighbourhood filed the same claim. Discuss with your broker if you have concerns about your specific policy.
Is hail damage covered under standard Alberta home insurance? Yes. According to Alberta.ca’s insurance and disasters guidance, hail damage to homes is covered under standard Alberta property insurance policies. Coverage limits and depreciation conditions vary by policy — review yours with your broker. hail damage roof Edmonton what to do
Get Your Free Edmonton Hail Inspection
If your Edmonton roof was hit, don’t wait. The sooner the damage is documented, the stronger your insurance claim will be.
Laser Cut Roofing provides free hail inspections across Edmonton and surrounding areas — with full photographic documentation and adjuster support included.
???? Edmonton: 780-686-8224 | Calgary: 403-899-9281
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